Electric power meter including a temperature sensor and controller

ABSTRACT

An electric power meter ( 102 ) includes a temperature sensor ( 114 ) and a controller ( 112 ). The controller ( 112 ) is operable, based on the temperature reported from the temperature sensor ( 114 ), to generate alarm(s) when the temperature exceeds certain alarm threshold(s) ( 307, 507, 508 ) and to activate a power disconnect switch ( 104 ), thereby shutting off power to a customer premises, when the temperature exceeds a shut off threshold ( 309, 509 ). The controller ( 112 ) is operable to activate the power disconnect switch ( 104 ) for non-payment of electricity cost, subject to secondary criteria based on regulatory requirements. A customer terminal ( 103 ) may be used to notify a customer of an alarm condition, to provide information regarding electrical power usage or to provide information regarding disconnection of electrical power.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electric power meters and moreparticularly to an electric power meter that contains a temperaturesensor and a controller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electric power meters are well known devices used by utility serviceproviders for measuring the amount of electrical power consumed by aresidential or industrial customer. At the lower end of complexity,power meters consist simply of a power measurement apparatus formeasuring power consumption and a gauge that is visible on the outsideof the power meter for showing the amount of electrical power consumed.Customers are billed by the utility companies based on periodic readingsof the electric power meter, indicating electrical power already used.More recently, prepayment utility metering systems have become known inwhich the customer pays for the electricity at the electric power meterin advance, before it is used. Oftentimes, in prepayment systems, powercan be disconnected from the customer residence if the customer doesn'tpay for the electricity in advance. It would be desirable for purposesof customer safety and compliance with regulatory authorities (such asstate utility commissions and city governments) that electrical powermeters do not cause service to be disconnected for certain customersduring the winter months or when the outside temperature is within acertain range.

Further, as with any electric device, an electric power meter generatesheat as it operates. This heat can affect the reliability of the powermeasurement apparatus within the electric power meter and occasionally,can cause fires resulting in damage to the customer premises and injuryor death to persons. Clearly, customer health and safety would beenhanced by reducing the likelihood of electrical fires.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved electric power meter thatenhances public safety and complies with applicable regulatoryrequirements. Advantageously, the power meter will improve the accuracyof power measurements, reduce instances of fire and, if used in aprepayment system, will not cause electrical service to be disconnectedduring winter month or at proscribed temperatures. The present inventionis directed to satisfying or at least partially satisfying these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric energy metering systemaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for an electric energy meteringsystem to generate alarms and/or disconnect power based on temperature;

FIG. 3 is diagram showing a plot of temperature as it relates to variousdecision thresholds according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing another method for an electric energymetering system to generate alarms and/or disconnect power based ontemperature;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a plot of temperature at it relates tovarious decision thresholds according to one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method for disconnection of power whena utility customer meets a set of criteria.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an electric energy metering system 100 according tothe present invention. The electric energy metering system 100 isadapted to measure the amount of electrical energy used within acustomer premises such as a house, apartment, commercial building orfactory. Further, according to principles of the present invention, theelectric energy metering system is adapted to shut off power whentemperature conditions dictate to reduce the likelihood of fires; and tocomply with regulatory rules when disconnecting power for non-payment ofenergy charges. Generally, the electric energy metering system 100comprises an electric metering device (“power meter”) 102 and a customerterminal 103. Typically, the power meter 102 is installed exterior tothe customer premises and the customer terminal 103 is within thecustomer premises.

The power meter 102 measures the amount of electrical power being usedby a customer. In one embodiment, the power meter 102 comprises a powerdisconnect switch 104, two current sensors 106, a power measurementdevice 108, a voltage reference 110, a controller 112, a temperaturesensor 114, a photo sensor 116, a clock reference 118, and a power linecarrier (PLC) interface 120. Electrical power enters the power meter 102on two input wires 122 and exits the power meter on two output wires 124which lead into the customer premises (not shown).

As is well known, residential electric power distribution in the UnitedStates and numerous other countries uses a three-wire system. Thethree-wire system uses a common ground wire and two “hot” wires. Asinusoidal voltage with respect to the ground wire is placed on the twohot wires. In the illustrated embodiment, the two input wires 122 (andtwo output wires 124) represent the two hot wires of the residentialpower distribution system, and the ground wire (not shown) of theresidential power distribution system does not enter the power meter102.

The power disconnect switch 104 is connected to the two input wires 122and the two output wires 124. Under commands from the controller 112,the power disconnect switch 104 either enables electric current to flowthrough the meter (i.e., by maintaining an electrical connection betweenthe two input wires 122 and two output wires 124) or it disconnects thetwo input wires 122 from the two output wires 124 to cut off electriccurrent flowing through the meter and hence, to disconnect the customerpremises from electrical power.

The current sensors 106 monitor the electrical current entering thepower meter on the two input wires 122. In one embodiment, the currentsensors 106 comprise toroidal current transformers. Toroidal currenttransformers are available from a number of manufacturers such as, forexample, Siemens. The current sensors 106 provide a measurement of therate-of-change of electrical current (di/dt) on the two input wires 122to a power measurement device 108. The power measurement device 108 isalso connected directly to the two input wires 122 to measure thevoltage across the two input wires 122 by comparing it to a voltagereference 110. In one embodiment, the power measurement device 108comprises an integrated circuit, such as commercially available fromAnalog Devices. The voltage reference 110 is a diode with a temperaturecompensation circuit that outputs a constant reference voltage.

The power measurement device 108 outputs a sinusoidal signal to thecontroller 112 that has a frequency proportional to the power passingthrough the electric metering device. The temperature sensor 114measures the temperature within the power meter 102. The measuredtemperature is effected by the heat generated within the device (as maybe contributed by the current flowing in the two input wires 122, thepower disconnect switch 104, and the two output wires 124) as well asheat external to the power meter, such as from a socket (not shown) intowhich the meter 102 may be installed and/or ambient temperature outsideof the meter. The temperature sensor 114 is a device that is availablefrom a number of manufacturers such as Dallas Semiconductor. Temperaturedata is sent from the temperature sensor 114 to the controller 112.

The photo sensor 116 detects the light level outside of the power meter102 and provides a signal to the controller 112. In one embodiment, thephoto sensor 116 is a photo diode. In one embodiment, presuming thepower meter 102 is not obstructed from light, the photo sensor 116 candetermine whether it is day or night and so notify the controller 112.As will be appreciated, the photo sensor 1116 could be mounted remotelyfrom the power meter 102 if the power meter is obstructed from light.

The PLC interface 120 provides for power line signaling over the outputpower lines 124 of the power meter 102. The PLC interface 120 modulatesdata onto the output power lines 124 so that it can be sent from thepower meter 102 to devices within the customer premises. The PLCinterface 120 also demodulates data from the output power lines 124 thatis being sent from devices within the customer premises to the powermeter 102. In one embodiment, the PLC interface 120 is a commerciallyavailable device that complies with the American National StandardsInstitute (ANSI) EIA 709.2 power line communication standard.

In one embodiment, the clock reference 118 is a dual mode real-timeclock. In a first mode, the clock reference 118 uses a 60 Hz sinusoidalsignal present on the input wires 122 to keep track of time. In a secondmode, the clock reference 118 uses an internal crystal oscillator toprovide a time reference when the sinusoidal signal is not present onthe input wires 122 such as during a electrical power outage. The clockreference 118 contains an internal battery to power the crystaloscillator when electrical power is not available.

As shown, the controller 112 is connected to the power measurementdevice 108, temperature sensor 114, photo sensor 116, PLC interface 120,power disconnect switch 104 and clock reference 118. In one embodiment,the controller 112 is a microprocessor that is capable of performingactions based on input data according to preprogrammed instructions.These actions can include, for example, tracking electrical power usage,monitoring temperature, operating the power disconnect switch 104,tracking payment for electrical power, conducting communication withother devices using the PLC interface 120 and tracking the date and/ortime of day.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, many othervariations on the power meter 102 are possible. For example, the powermeter 102 may be constructed without one or more of the components shownin FIG. 1 such as the photo sensor 116, voltage reference 110, PLCinterface 120, etc. One or more of the components of the power meter 102such as the controller 112, clock reference 118, disconnect switch 104,etc may reside within the same integrated circuit. The power meter 102may use alternative method(s) of determining current flow other than thecurrent sensors 106.

The power meter 102 might also include additional components. Forexample, it is envisioned that two temperature sensors 114 could beemployed, one for measuring the internal temperature of the power meter102 and one for measuring the outside temperature. As another example,an infrared interface device allowing access to the controller 112 fromoutside the power meter 102 could be provided. Still further, the powermeter 102 may include a wireless transceiver for communication withdevices inside or outside the customer premises; the power meter 102 mayconnect to and monitor the ground wire of the standard three-wireresidential current distribution system instead of just the two hotwires; and the power meter 102 may be adapted for measuring three phasepower such as is commonly used for commercial premises.

The customer terminal 103 is adapted to be located within the customerpremises such that a utility customer may conveniently obtaininformation and interact with the electric energy metering system 100.For example, a customer may use the customer terminal 103 to monitorcurrent and past energy usage or to pay for electrical energy. Thecustomer terminal 103 may also be used by the electric energy meteringsystem 100 to provide warnings or notices to the customer. For example,the customer terminal may signal an alarm responsive to the power meter102 indicating dangerous high temperature conditions; or the customerterminal may notify the customer when payment is due for electric power.The use of a customer terminal for payment of electrical energy chargesis described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/378,357, titled“Prepayment Energy Metering System with Two-Way Smart CardCommunications,” assigned to the assignee of the present invention andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In the illustrated embodiment, the customer terminal 103 comprises a PLCinterface 130, terminal controller 132, display 134, card reader 136,speaker 138 and keypad 140. The PLC interface 130 is connected to one ofthe output power lines 124 within the customer premises. It provides forcommunication between the customer terminal 103 and the PLC interface120 of the power meter 102 by the use of signals modulated onto theoutput power lines 124. In one embodiment the PLC interface 120 is acommercially available device that complies with the American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI) EIA 709.2 power line communication standard.The PLC interface 130 may be wired into the electrical system of thecustomer premises or may be simply plugged into any electrical outlet.

The display 134 is used by the customer terminal for communicatinginformation to the utility customer. The display 134 may be, forexample, a liquid crystal display, set of light emitting diodes, acathode ray tube, flat panel display or any other device for displayingtext and/or images. The keypad 140 allows the utility customer to enterinformation into the customer terminal. The keypad 140 may be adaptedfor the input of numeric data, alphabetic data or both numeric andalphabetic data. The speaker 138 is a device capable of generating soundas is well known in the art. The speaker may be used, for example, togenerate tones or synthesized voice for interactions with customers.

The card reader 136 allows data to be read from or written to a memorycard, smart card or other suitable storage device. Alternatively, apassive portable storage device may be employed that would require aconnector, not a reader as such A memory card is a card that contains amemory chip that can be used to store information. A smart card is acard that contains a microprocessor and memory that can storeinformation and perform actions. In one embodiment of the presentinvention the card reader 136 is adapted to read and write data from asmart card only. In other embodiments the card reader 136 may read andwrite data to only a memory card and/or or smart card.

The card reader 136 allows data to be read from or written to a magneticstripe card, a memory card, smart card or other suitable storage device.A magnetic stripe card is a card that has a magnetic media which can beused to store information. A memory card is a card that contains amemory chip that can be used to store information. A smart card is acard that contains a microprocessor and memory that can storeinformation and perform actions. In one embodiment of the presentinvention the card reader 136 is adapted to read and write data from asmart card only. In other embodiments the card reader 136 may read andwrite data to only a memory card or magnetic stripe card or anycombination of memory card, magnetic stripe card or smart card.

As shown, the display 134, keypad 140, card reader 136 speaker 138 andPLC interface 130 are all connected to the terminal controller 132. Inone embodiment the terminal controller 132 is a general purposemicroprocessor that is capable of performing actions based on input dataaccording to preprogrammed instructions. The controller 132 may alsorespond to programmed instructions read by the card reader 136, enteredfrom the keypad 140 or received over the PLC interface 130 from thepower meter 102. The terminal controller 132 receives input from thecard reader 136 and keypad 140 and writes data to the display 134,speaker 138 and card reader 136.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the customerterminal 103 could take many other forms. For example, the customerterminal could employ a radio interface or a dedicated wirelineconnection to connect to the power meter 102 rather than use the PLCinterface 130. The functions of the customer terminal 103 could beintegrated into or distributed among other device(s) such as, forexample, a personal computer, television, home security system,thermostat, refrigerator, microwave, radio etc. The customer terminal103 may include a microphone and be configured with a voice recognitiondevice or software for interacting with the customer. Alternatively, thefunctions of the customer terminal may be implemented as a world wideweb interface that can be accessed from an internet capable device suchas a computer or cellular phone.

The electric energy metering system 100 is adapted to issue warningsand/or shut off power to the customer premises when the temperature ofthe power meter 102 increases to a level that could result in a fire.Unsafe temperature conditions may be caused, for example, by excessivepower flow through the power meter 102, a malfunction of the power meter102, excessive outside temperature, a malfunction of a socket into whichthe power meter 102 is installed or a combination of reasons. Generally,the power meter controller 112 performs various actions responsive tothe output of the temperature sensor 114. In one embodiment, forexample, the controller 112 issues warnings and shuts off the electricpower, as appropriate, when the temperature from the temperature sensor114 crosses certain defined temperature thresholds.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary process by which the electric energy meteringsystem 100 generates alarms and/or disconnects power based ontemperature of the power meter 102. The process presumes that thecontroller 112 monitors the power meter temperature based on temperaturereported from the temperature sensor 114. The temperature sensor 114 mayreport the power meter temperature either continuously or periodically.The controller 112 compares the power meter temperature to variousdecision thresholds. In one embodiment, as best observed in FIG. 3, thedecision thresholds include an alarm threshold 307, a shut off threshold309 and an alarm reset threshold 305. As will be appreciated, the alarmthreshold 307, a shut off threshold 309 and alarm reset threshold 305may vary according to regulatory requirements, operating environments,and the like. For convenience, the flowchart of FIG. 2 will be describedwith reference to the temperature curve 303 shown in FIG. 3.

At step 205, the controller 112 compares the power meter temperature tothe alarm threshold 307 to determine whether it is above the alarmthreshold 307. Generally, the alarm threshold 307 corresponds to a powermeter temperature that is sufficiently higher than a nominal temperatureto define a hazardous condition, the presence of which the customershould be warned by an alarm. Until such time as the power metertemperature exceeds the alarm threshold, no action is taken and step 205is repeated to compare further reported temperatures to the alarmthreshold 307. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, suppose an initialreported temperature of the power meter corresponds to reference point350 (i.e., below the alarm threshold 307). In such case, the controller112 will take no action other than to continue monitoring the powermeter temperature until it exceeds the alarm threshold 307.

Once the power meter temperature exceeds the alarm threshold, if at all(e.g., at reference point 320), the process proceeds to step 207 togenerate an alarm. In one embodiment, the alarm comprises an audibleand/or textual warning communicated to a utility customer via thecustomer terminal 103 (FIG. 1). The alarm may be sent by the controller112 to the customer terminal 103 using the PLC interface 120.

Having generated an alarm, the controller at step 209 continues tomonitor the power meter temperature to determine if it ever exceeds theshut off threshold 309. Generally, the shut off threshold 300corresponds to a power meter temperature that is even higher than thealarm threshold temperature, the occurrence of which is sufficientlydangerous to necessitate shutting off power from the customer premises.Accordingly, if the temperature is above the shutoff threshold, a powerdisconnect switch is activated at step 211 to shut off the customer'spower. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, the controller 112 willactivate the disconnect switch upon the reported temperature of thepower meter reaching reference point 322.

Having activated the disconnect switch, the controller at step 213continues to monitor the power meter temperature to determine if it everfalls below the alarm reset threshold 305. Generally, the disconnectionof electrical power to the premises will cause the power metertemperature to decrease. The alarm reset threshold 305 corresponds to apower meter temperature that is sufficiently decreased from the shut offthreshold and alarm threshold temperatures that any previous alarms maybe shut off and the power restored. Until such time as the power metertemperature falls below the alarm reset threshold, the alarm conditionand power shut off condition remain and step 213 is repeated to comparefurther reported temperatures to the alarm reset threshold 305. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 3, the alarm condition and shut offcondition will remain until such time as the reported temperature of thepower meter corresponds to reference point 323 (i.e., below the alarmreset threshold 305).

Once the power meter temperature falls below the alarm reset threshold,if at all (e.g., at reference point 323), the process proceeds to steps215 and 217 to restore power to the customer and to de-active anyprevious alarms; and the process returns to step 205 to again comparethe reported power meter temperatures to the alarm threshold 307,substantially as previously described.

If, at step 209, the power meter temperature is determined not to exceedthe shut off threshold (i.e., the power meter temperature is somewherebetween the alarm and shut off thresholds), the controller at step 219continues to monitor the power meter temperature to determine if it everfalls below the alarm reset threshold 305. Once the power metertemperature falls below the alarm reset threshold, if at all (e.g., atreference point 323), the process proceeds to step 217 to de-active anyprevious alarms; and the process returns to step 205 to again comparethe reported power meter temperatures to the alarm threshold 307,substantially as previously described. Otherwise, until such time as thepower meter temperature is determined at step 219 to fall below thealarm reset threshold, the alarm condition remains and step 209 isrepeated to compare further reported temperatures to the shut offthreshold 309.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a process by which the electricenergy metering system 100 generates alarms and/or disconnects powerbased on temperature of the power meter 102. As with the process of FIG.2, the process presumes that the controller 112 monitors the power metertemperature based on temperature reported from the temperature sensor114, and the controller 112 compares the power meter temperature tovarious decision thresholds. As best observed in FIG. 5, the decisionthresholds in the second embodiment include an alarm threshold 507, avariable alarm threshold 508, a shut off threshold 509 and an alarmreset threshold 505. The alarm threshold 507, shut off threshold 509 andalarm reset threshold 505 correspond substantially to the alarmthreshold 307, shut off threshold 309 and alarm reset threshold 305described in relation to FIG. 3. The variable alarm threshold 508 is setafter the temperature has risen above the alarm threshold 507 and isrelated to the maximum instantaneous power. The variable alarm thresholdwill be described in greater detail in relation to FIG. 4. Forconvenience, the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be described with reference tothe temperature curve 503 shown in FIG. 5.

At step 405, the controller 112 compares the power meter temperature tothe alarm threshold 507 to determine whether it is above the alarmthreshold 507. Until such time as the power meter temperature exceedsthe alarm threshold, no action is taken and step 405 is repeated tocompare further reported temperatures to the alarm threshold 507. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 5, suppose an initial reportedtemperature of the power meter corresponds to reference point 550 (i.e.,below the alarm threshold 507). In such case, the controller 112 willtake no action other than to continue monitoring the power metertemperature until it exceeds the alarm threshold 507.

Once the power meter temperature exceeds the alarm threshold, if at all(e.g., at reference point 552), the process proceeds to step 407 togenerate an alarm. In one embodiment, the alarm comprises an audibleand/or textual warning communicated to a utility customer via thecustomer terminal 103 (FIG. 1). The alarm may be sent by the controller112 to the customer terminal 103 using the PLC interface 120.

Having generated an alarm, the controller at step 409 continues tomonitor the power meter temperature to determine if it ever exceeds theshut off threshold 509. If the temperature is above the shutoffthreshold, a power disconnect switch is activated at step 411 to shutoff the customer's power. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, thecontroller 112 will activate the disconnect switch upon the reportedtemperature of the power meter reaching reference point 558.

Having activated the disconnect switch, the controller at step 413continues to monitor the power meter temperature to determine if it everfalls below the alarm reset threshold 505. Until such time as the powermeter temperature falls below the alarm reset threshold 505, the alarmcondition and power shut off condition remain and step 413 is repeatedto compare further reported temperatures to the alarm reset threshold505. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the alarm condition and shutoff condition will remain until such time as the reported temperature ofthe power meter corresponds to reference point 560 (i.e., below thealarm reset threshold 505).

Once the power meter temperature falls below the alarm reset threshold,if at all (e.g., at reference point 560), the process proceeds to steps415 and 417 to restore power to the customer and to de-active anyprevious alarms; and the process returns to step 405 to again comparethe reported power meter temperatures to the alarm threshold 507,substantially as previously described.

If, at step 409, the power meter temperature is determined not to exceedthe shut off threshold (i.e., the power meter temperature is somewherebetween the alarm and shut off thresholds), the controller at step 419determines a maximum instantaneous power value associated with the powermeter 102. In one embodiment, the controller 112 monitors theinstantaneous power based on information reported from the powermeasurement sensor 108 when the temperature is above the alarmthreshold. As shown in FIG. 5, the power meter temperature rises to apeak at reference point 553 and begins to decrease. For example, thetemperature may decrease when a customer, responsive to the alarmgenerated at the alarm threshold, takes some action to reduce thetemperature. The maximum instantaneous power comprises the instantaneouspower passing through the power meter 102 at the peak of the temperaturecurve (i.e., at reference point 553). Next, at step 421, a check is madeto see if the instantaneous power has dropped a fixed percentage belowthe maximum instantaneous power. In one embodiment, for example, thefixed percentage comprises a 20% drop, such that the instantaneous poweris 80% of the maximum instantaneous power. In FIG. 5, reference point554 represents the power meter temperature coincident to a 20% drop fromthe maximum instantaneous power. As will be appreciated, otherpercentages could also be used. Until such time as the instantaneouspower has not dropped the fixed percentage below the maximuminstantaneous power, the controller continues at step 409 to compare thepower meter temperature to the shutoff threshold, as has been described.

At step 421, if the instantaneous power is determined to have droppedthe fixed percentage below the maximum instantaneous power, the variablealarm threshold 508 is determined at step 423. In one embodiment, thevariable alarm threshold 508 is set to the present temperature of thepower meter at the point the instantaneous power drops the fixedpercentage below the maximum instantaneous power (e.g., at referencepoint 554). Then, at step 425 the alarm is deactivated. A check is thenmade at step 427 to see if the temperature is above the variable alarmthreshold. If the temperature is not above the variable alarm threshold,a check is made at step 429 to see if the temperature is below the alarmreset threshold. If the temperature is below the alarm reset threshold,the alarm is deactivated at step 417. However, at step 429 if the alarmis not below the alarm reset threshold, another check to see if thetemperature is above the variable alarm threshold is made at step 427.If at step 427 the temperature is above the variable temperaturethreshold, an alarm is generated at step 407. Thus, in the event thealarm generated in response to the power meter temperature exceeding thealarm threshold 507 is shut off (e.g., at reference point 554), thealarm is re-activated if the temperature rises above the variable alarmthreshold 508.

In addition to shutting off the flow of electrical power due to unsafetemperature conditions, the electric energy metering system 100 may shutoff power for other reasons. For example, the power may be shut off fornon-payment of the cost of electrical power. One example of anelectrical energy metering system that may shut off electrical power fornon-payment of energy cost is given in related patent application Ser.No. 09/378,357, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In therelated application, customers pay for electrical power before they useit by inserting a smart card containing monetary credit into a customerterminal. If the customer does not pre-pay for power, the electricenergy metering system may shut off power to the customer premises. Ofcourse, the customer terminal may attempt to warn the customer of theneed for payment before power is disconnected. The electric energymetering system 100 may similarly be used as a prepayment electricalmetering system as described in the related application. The electricenergy metering system 100 may also be used as a post-payment system.For example, as a post-payment system, the electric energy meteringsystem will keep track of electrical energy use for a predefined period(such as a month, for example) and notify the customer through thecustomer terminal 103 what payment is due. The customer can then makepayment at the customer terminal 103 using a smart card. If the customerdoes not make payment before a deadline, the electric energy meteringsystem will disconnect electrical power to the customer premises.

Some regulatory agencies governing the utility industry or governmententities such as state or local governments have rules governing whenelectrical power may be disconnected. As an example, power disconnectionmay be forbidden when the average daily temperature or the nighttimetemperature is below a certain level and/or power disconnection may beforbidden at certain times of year (e.g., during the winter months).Other factors such as medical needs or income level of the customer mayalso be considered when determining the rules for disconnectingelectrical power from a customer. The electrical energy metering system100 of FIG. 1 is operable to test these criteria before electrical poweris disconnected. For example, the controller 112 can use temperatureinformation from the temperature sensor 114 to estimate the outsidetemperature, can also track the time of day and date, or determinewhether it is day or night by using the photo sensor 116.

It should be noted that the temperature measured by the temperaturesensor 114 is a function of the outside temperature and power flowingthrough the power meter 102. However, the controller 112 can estimatethe amount of heat produced by the power flowing through the power meter102 and use this to correct the temperature from the temperature sensor114 to estimate the outside temperature. Alternatively, the power meter102 may contain two temperature sensors, one internal temperature sensorfor measuring the heat within the device and the other one, located onor near the outside of the power meter 102, for measuring the outsidetemperature.

The criteria for disconnection of power may change over time because ofchanges in regulation or laws. The electric energy metering system 100is able to adapt to these changes. The electric energy metering system100 can receive notification of the changes by way of a smart card usedfor payment of energy charges. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, as explained in related patent application Ser. No.09/378,357, monetary credits are placed onto the smart card at fullyautomatic point-of-sale (POS) terminals or at utility customer servicecenters. When the smart card is loaded with monetary credit, it can alsoreceive instructions for reprogramming the electric metering system 100to use a different set of criteria for determining when powerdisconnection may be performed. When the smart card is inserted into thecustomer terminal 103, these instructions are conveyed to the electricenergy metering system 100. In alternate embodiments, the electricenergy metering system 100 may have other methods for receiving updatedcriteria for the disconnection of power. For example, the electricenergy metering system may have a telephone modem, wireless radiofrequency transmitter/receiver, or a connection to the internet by whichupdated criteria can be received.

There is shown in FIG. 6 a flow chart for a method for an electricenergy metering system to determine when to disconnect electrical powerto a customer premises. At step 605, the electric energy metering systemdetermines whether a customer is eligible for electrical powerdisconnection under a primary criteria. This could occur, for example,if the customer fails to pay for electrical power. If the customer isnot eligible for power disconnection under the primary criteria, theprocess ends. If the customer is eligible for power disconnection underthe primary criteria, at step 607 the electric energy metering system100 determines if a secondary criteria for disconnecting the electricalpower to the customer premises has been met. The secondary criteriacould be based on rules from a regulatory agency, state or local law orby the policy of the electric utility. The secondary criteria could bebased on, for example, the date, the time of day, the outdoortemperature, whether it was day or night, the medical needs of thecustomer, the income level of the customer or the customers past recordof payment. As will be appreciated, the primary and secondary criteriamay be interchanged. For example, time of day could be used as a primarycriteria and non-payment of electrical bills a secondary criteria, andso forth. If both the primary and secondary criteria have been met, thenat step 609, the power to the customer premises is disconnected.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A method, performed by an electric energy meteringsystem, comprising: determining that a customer premises is eligible fordisconnection of power under a primary criteria; checking whether thecustomer meets a secondary criteria for disconnection of power;disconnecting power to the customer premises only if the customer iseligible for disconnection of power under the primary and secondarycriteria.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the primary criteria isbased on non-payment of electricity cost by the customer.
 17. The methodof claim 16 wherein the secondary criteria is based on one or more of:an outdoor temperature of the customer premises, a time of day, acalendar date after which disconnection of power is restricted, and anamount of outdoor light outside the customer premises.
 18. The method ofclaim 15 further comprising: if the customer is determined to beeligible for disconnection of power under the primary and secondarycriteria, alerting the customer of the determination.